MYOLA

STATION 9

The forward supply depot and medical post

New Guinea. Aerial photograph of the country between Oivi and Myola Lakes (AWM 128150)

On the crest of the Owen Stanley Ranges, a few kilometres east of the main track, there were two dry lake beds. Realising the need for a dropping ground for supplies, Lieutenant Herbert Kienzle of the Australian New Guinea Administration Unit (ANGAU) set out to explore this area and in early August reached the first dry lake, which was covered with kunai grass. It made a suitable dropping zone and he put in train actions to set up a forward supply depot. He named the area Myola (after the wife of his commanding officer). Nearby, and at a higher altitude, was a second dry lake, which became known as Myola 2.

Myola was quickly developed as a forward supply depot and became the location for medical posts established by elements of the 14th and 2/6th Field Ambulances under Major J.R.Magarey. During the withdrawal the Australian battalions gained a much needed resupply of clothes and food at Myola before the location was evacuated on 4 September.

During the counter-offensive the 25th Brigade reached Myola on 8 October and quickly began to develop the area as a supply depot, relying on supplies dropped by aircraft, known as biscuit bombers, on the open dry lake. Also the 2/4th and 2/6th Field Ambulances established medical posts which were soon receiving casualties from the 25th Brigade fighting at Templeton’s Crossing and later the 16th Brigade at Eora Creek.

It was hoped that a landing strip could be cut that would allow casualties to be evacuated by plane, but the first light plane did not land until late October. However, there were insufficient light planes and several crashed on landing at Myola. Only about 40 casualties were flown out of the mountains. There were not enough native carriers to carry all the wounded out to Port Moresby and many remained in the hospital at Myola until they had recovered sufficiently to walk out themselves. Patients were carried out as carriers became available, with the last reaching the Port Moresby area shortly before Christmas 1942.

Myola was an important post for the operations of 1 Australian Corps Signals in constructing and maintaining a telegraph wire across the Owen Stanleys from Moresby to the Gona/Buna areas (Popondetta/Dobodura).

Upcoming Events

A living memorial

The Kokoda Track Memorial Walkway is a living memorial and a principal site of commemoration honouring all those who fought for Australia during World War II.

A principal focus is on the sacrifices made during key Papua New Guinea battles which took place in 1942-43 along the Kokoda Track, at Milne Bay on the south-eastern tip of Papua, and at Buna, Gona, and Sanananda on the northern coastline.

The Walkway covers more than 800 metres from Rhodes Station to Concord Hospital in Sydney’s inner-west, and runs along the mangrove-studded shores of Brays Bay on the Parramatta River.

At the centrepiece are magnificent granite walls bearing photographic images of the Kokoda campaign. There are 22 audio-visual stations along the Walkway, each describing a significant place or military engagement. The Walkway has been planted with lush tropical vegetation simulating the conditions of The Kokoda Track.

The Centenary of ANZAC and the GREAT WAR

July to December 1917

European Theatre

Sept.– Nov. Third Battle of Ypres (Belgium)

British forces planned to break through the strongly fortified German defences enclosing the Ypres salient, a protruding bulge in the British front line. There were a number of fierce separate engagements. Only small advancements were possible in the saturated terrain, and the hoped for breakthrough never eventuated. Australian divisions participated in a number of key attacks:

Sept. 20 Menin Road Belgium

Sept. 26 Polygon Wood Belgium

Oct. 4 Broodseinde Belgium

Oct. 9 Poelcappelle Belgium

Oct. 12 Passchendaele Belgium

Three successful pushes – Menin Road, Polygon Wood and Broodseinde – in September and early October steadily drove the Germans back to the top of Passchendaele ridge. Through October and into November, wet weather and sheer exhaustion meant further attacks became hopelessly bogged down. Though the final ridge was eventually gained, continued penetration of German positions proved unachievable. Losses were horrendous on both sides. During the five-month campaign, almost half a million men were lost. The fighting in these weeks cost the Australians another 38,000 casualties.

Middle East Theatre

Among the many battles that took place in the 2nd half of 1917, there is one name that stands out above all others in the desert war involving Australian mounted forces:

Beersheba (Palestine) Oct. 31

The battle of Beersheba took place on 31 October 1917 as part of the wider British offensive collectively known as the third Battle of Gaza. The final phase of this all day battle was the famous mounted charge of the 4th Light Horse Brigade. General Grant gave the order personally to the 12th Light Horse Regiment: “men you’re fighting for water. There’s no water between this side of Beersheba and Esani. Use your bayonets as swords. I wish you the best of luck”. The capture of Beersheba enabled British Empire forces to break the Ottoman line near Gaza on 7 November and advance into Palestine.